Externally sealed flush latch operating mechanism



My 5, 1958 B..w. HENRlcHs u 2,833,582

* EXTERNALLY SEALED FLUSH LATCH OPERATING MECHANISM Filed Aug. 2. 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN V EN TOR.

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55PM/9kb 14./ #5MP/cms W La May 6, 1958 B. w. HENRlcHs 25833582 EXTERNALLY SEALED FLUSH LATCH OPERATING MECHANISM Filed Aug. 2. 1956 4- z sheets-sneer INVENToR. 55E/V419@ W//fwe/c//s United States Patent() EXTERNALLY SEALED FLUSH LATCH OPERATING MECHANISM Bernard W. Henrichs, Northridge, Calif., assignor to Hartwell Aviation Supply Company, Los Angeles,

Calif.

Application August z, 1956, sen'al No. 601,839 7 Claims. (C1. 292-3363) This invention relates to externally sealed ush latch operating mechanisms, and included in the objects of this invention are:

First, to provide a latch operating mechanism which may be installed on a door or other opening in a hull, bulkhead, fuselage, or other structure which may be submerged or elevated to high altitude, and wherein the external latch handle is movable between a retracted, substantially flush, inoperative position and an extended operative position, and wherein either the internal handle or the external handle may be'operated independently of the other to open and close the opening from the interior or exterior side of the hull or other submergible structure.

Second, to provide a latch operating mechanism of this type wherein a uid tight mounting structure is fitted in the wall structure and including a recessed housing for the external handle when not in use.

Third, to provide in a latch operating mechanism of v this type a novellyarranged flush type handle construction, wherein, on release of a catch means, the handle moves axially to an operativeposition.

With the above and other objects in view, as may appear hereinafter, reference is directed to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is an exterior view of the externally sealed ush latch operating mechanism shown installed, and indicating fragmentarily the surrounding wall;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken through 2-2 of Fig. 1, showing the latch in its closed position and with portions in elevation;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary transverse sectional view through 3 3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary transversesectional view of ther external handle, taken through 4-4 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 5 is an external view of the latch operating mech-A anism, similar to Fig. l but showing the external handle in its open position;

Fig. 6 is a sideview of the latch operating mechanism shown unmounted and in its open or operating position;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary lengthwise view of a modified form of housing structure, showing the manner in which it may be curved to conform to the surface in which it is mounted; and

' Fig. 8 is'an end view showing a further modied form of the housing, illustrating the manner in which it may be curved transversely to conform to the surface in which it is mounted.

The externally sealed ush latch operating mechanism includes a body structure 1 Awhich includes an external handle-receiving housing 2. The housing 2 is in the form of a shallow panof lateral and longitudinal dimension to conform to the external handle.

The housing 2 is provided with a marginal ange 3 which is adapted to be secured under the external skin or wall A of a wall structure. Approximately midportion in its length the housing structure is provided with a 2'4 capable of Patented May 6, 1958 2 step 4 so that one portion is slightly deeper than the other.

Extending at right angles to the plane of the housing 2 in its deeper portion is a tubular vmandrel 5 which is adapted to extend through'the interior wall B of the structure in which the latch is mounted. The mandrel is closed at its inner end so that the mandrel and housing form a water-tight structure.

The tubular mandrel 5 journals a sleeve 6 which is provided with axially spaced seal rings 7. A set screw 8 extends through the sleeve 6 and through a circumferential slot 9 in the tubular mandrel. The seal rings 7 prevent any escape of uid fromthe interior of the mandrel 5. p

The inner extremity of the sleeve 6 projects through the inner wallA B. Secured to the protruding inner end of the sleeve is an inside handle 10 having a hub 11 and a radiating arm 12.

Formed integrally.. with or otherwise attached, as by screw connection, to the sleeve 6 is a latch lever 13 which is adapted to be connected by any suitable linkage to a latch member, not shown.

The housing 2 receives an outside handle 14 having a boss 15 which is secured in a hollow stem`16 by means of a pin 17. The hollow stem journals within the tubular mandrel 5.

The hollow stem 16 is provided with an axially extending slot 18 widened, as indicated by 19, at its outer portion. The set screw 8 projectsinto the slot 18. When the outside handle 14 s in its retracted position, the set screw 8 is in the region of the widened portion 19 so that the inside handle 10 may be moved without requiring movement of the outside handle 14. When the out,

The outside handle 14 is normally held in its retracted` position by means of a latch unit. For this purpose the outside handle is provided with a push plate aperture 21 which is shown as rectangular and in which is mounted a push plate 22. The push plate is pivoted on a transverse j-ournal pin 23 and is provided with a pair of catch fingers engaging a catch pin 25 extending transversely through the housing 2 adjacent the step 4. The catch pin may also be supported by a central fboss 2.6, as shown in Fig. 5. Carried by the outside handle 14 adjacent the journal pin 23 is a spring shaft 27 around which is wrapped a spring 28, the ends of which bear against the handle and against the push plate 22. The push plate is arranged s0 that it may be disposed flush with the outside surface of the handle 14 and is limited in its outward pivotal movement by means of a lip 29.

`Operation of the externally sealed flush latch operating mechanism is as follows:

-In order to open the latch from the outside, the push plate 22 is tilted to release the catch ngers 24 from the catch pin 25 `so that the spring 20 may urge the outside handle 14 fromits retracted position, shown in Fig. 6. The outside handle may then be grasped and turned within the limits determined by the slot '9, and in doing so effects a corresponding movement of for the purpose of operating any suitable latch bolt.

The outside handle 14 may be returned to its `flush position whether the bolt connection with the latch lever 13 is in its extended or retracted position. This is due to the fact that as the outside handle approaches its retracted position the set screw 8 enters the widened porthe latch lever 13v 3 tion 19 of the slot 18.` This widened portion also permits operat-ion of the inside handle ywhether the outside handle 14 is in its retracted or extended position.

Reference is directed to Figs. 7 and 8. Fig; 7 shows a modified housing structure 1a which diiers from the previously described structure in that the housing 1a is curved longitudinally so as to conform to the surface in which it is mounted. The housing may also `.be curved transversely, as indicated by 1b in Fig8.

While particular embodiments of this invention have been `shown and described, it is not intended to limit the same to the exact details of the constructions ,set forth, and it embraces such changes, modifications, and equivalents of `the parts and their formation and arrangement as come within the purview of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An externally sealed flush latch operating ,mechanism, comprising: a recessed vhousing having a closed tubular mandrel extending therefrom; ahandle adapted to be received in said recess, and having a stem axially slidable and rotatable within said mandrel, to permit extension andretraction vas well as turning 'movement of said handle relative to said housing; a sleeve journaled on said mandrel and having means for connection to a latch; a drive connection between said stern and sleeve extending through said mandrel; and means for sealing said drive connection.

2. An externally sealed flush latch operating mechanism, comprising: la recessed housing having a closed -tubular mandrel extending therefrom; a handle adapted to `be received in said recess, `and having a stern axially slidable and rotatable within said mandrel, to permit extension and retraction as well as turning movement `of said said recess, and having a stein axially slidable and rohandle relative to'said housing; a sleeve journaled on said mandrel and having means `for; connection to a latch; a drive connection between said stem and ,sleeve extending through said mandrel; means for sealing said drive connection; means urging said handle to an extended position clear of said housing; a pivotal latching means including a latch plate mounted in said handle and movable between a ilush and an` angular position relative to said handle and a latching element operated by said latch plate; and a keeper` element mounted within said recessed housing for engagement by said latching element.

3. An externally sealed ush latch operating mechanism,` comprising: a recessed housing having'a closed tubular mandrel extending therefrom; ahandle adapted to be received in said rece'ss, and having a stem axially slidable and rotatable within sai-d mandrel, to permit extension and retraction vas well as turning movement of said handle relative to said housing; a sleeve journaled on said mandrel and having means for connection to a latch; and a drive connection between said Istem and said sleeve through said man-drei, saiddrive connection affording limited pivotal movement of `said stem and sleevein ,unison, and permitting axial displacement to move said handleto and from saidhousing recess, said drive connection having a lost motion portion operative when said stem is Vin its retracted position to permit limited pivotal movement of said sleeve without corresponding movement of said stem. i

4, An externally sealed flush `latch operating mechanism, comprising: a recessed housingV having a closed tubular `mandrel extending therefrom; a handle adapted to be received in said recess, and having a stem axially slidable and rotatable within said mandrel, to permit extension and retraction as well as turning movement of said handle relative to said housing; a sleeve journaled on said mandrel and having means for'connection to a latch; a drive connection between said stern and said sleeve through said mandrel, said drive connection aording limited pivotal movement of said stem and sleeve in unison, and permitting axial displacement to move said handle to and from said housing recess, said drive connection having a lost motion portion operative when said stem is in its retracted position to disconnect said stem from said sleeve; means urging said handle to permit limited pivotal movement of said sleeve without corresponding movement of said stem; a pivotal latching means including a latch plate mounted in said handle and movable between a ilush and an angular position relative to said handle and a latching element operated by saidlatch plate; and a keeper element mounted within said recessed housing for engagement by said latching element.

5. An externally sealed flush latch operating mechanism, comprising: a recessed housing having a tubular mandrelextending therefrom andv closed at its extended end; a handle adapted to be received in said recess, and having a stem axially slidable and rotatable within said mandrel, to permit.` extension and retraction as well as turning movement of said handle relative to said housing; means externally` of said mandrel for operating a latch; a drive connection extending radially through said mandrel between said stem and latch operating means; and means for. sealing said drive connection.

6. An externally sealed flush latch operating mechanism, comprising: a recessed housing having a closed tubular mandrel extending therefrom said mandrel forming internally a cylindrical `bearing and externally a cylindrical journal; a handleadapted to be received in tatable ywithin said bearing, to permit extension and retraction aswell as turning movement of said handle relative to said housing; means externally of said mandrel and rotatable on said journal for operating a latch;

and a drive means extending radially through said bearing and journal for connecting said operating means and stem, said drive means having an inoperative position when said handle is retracted in said housing, permitting movement of said operating means Without movement of said handle7 and an operative position when said handle is extended.

7. An externally sealed ush latch operating mechanism, comprising: a recessed housing having a closed tubular mandrel extending therefrom; a handle adapted to be received in said recess, and having a stem axiallyr slidable and rotatable within said mandrel, to permit extension and retraction as well as turning movement of said handle relative to said housing; means externally of said mandrel for operating a latch; a drive means for connecting said operating means and stem, said drive means having an inoperative position when said handle is retracted in said housing, permitting movement of said operating means without movement of said handle, and an operative position when said handle is extended; means urging said handle to an extended position clear of said housing; a pivotal latching `means including a latch plate mounted in said handle and movable between a tlush and an angular position relative to said handle and a latching element operated by said latch plate; and a keeper element mounted within said recessed housing for engagement by said latching element.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED .STATES PATENTS 

